"Damn fox… is everything you said really true?"
In the plaza, Shukaku stared fixedly at Kurama, his face uncharacteristically devoid of its usual provocation.
"You stayed inside Naruto for a long time too," Kurama replied listlessly.
"You should already know what he's capable of."
"Then what do we do now?"
Isobu trotted out from beside Son Gokū and asked.
Kurama paused. Lowering his gaze, he looked toward Naruto—
—and froze.
The moon-white robe on Naruto's body was suddenly overlaid with a layer of feather-white chakra. Along the collar and sleeves, rows of black magatama emerged one after another.
"Truth-Seeking Orbs! The old man's power!"
Crouched behind Naruto, Son Gokū cried out in shock as he saw nine pitch-black spheres silently appear behind Naruto's back.
Current state meets chakra conversion requirements.
World Gate formation initiated.
Energy conversion time remaining—
Naruto's eyes flickered slightly.
By fully absorbing Ashura and Indra, and with the aid of the Mirror World, he had inherited everything they possessed. That was why he could instantly grasp Six Paths Senjutsu. However, because the brothers had fused their souls completely with their chakra, the Mirror World erased their consciousness the moment Naruto absorbed them.
Naruto formed a shadow clone to inspect himself.
Aside from his clothes turning into a white robe under chakra influence, his appearance hadn't changed. Since he was no longer a jinchūriki—and had never learned Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode—his current state was identical to Ashura's Sage Mode.
What he hadn't expected was that, in this state, natural energy could be directly supplied to the World Gate.
Still, there was a limitation.
The Sage of Six Paths had never taught Ashura Yin–Yang Release. Without it, Naruto couldn't maintain Sage Mode indefinitely like Hagoromo or Hamura. Even with his terrifying chakra reserves, this state could last at most five days.
But that wasn't a problem.
Toneri's clone would mature soon, and the giant Tenseigan on the Moon contained complete Yin–Yang Release.
After a moment's thought, Naruto spread his palm. The nine Truth-Seeking Orbs shrank, linked together, and flowed into his hand.
He then turned to Sasuke.
"The banquet isn't over yet. You can go back now."
"Remember—
I've saved your life again,
helped you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan,
returned your parents and clan,
and even left an entire wall of Sharingan for you through Orochimaru."
"You should think carefully about how to repay such kindness."
"You—!"
Sasuke's eyes burned red as he stared at Naruto. There was no hatred in them now—only deep resentment.
After learning he was Indra's reincarnation, he knew Naruto had, in a sense, truly saved his life.
But what he had just experienced—
—and the fact that everyone at the banquet knew nothing about it—
filled him with rage.
Every instinct screamed at him to strike Naruto down.
Yet cruel reality told him he didn't even dare try.
"…Fine."
Grinding out the word through clenched teeth, Sasuke activated Light–Weight Rock Technique and flew away.
Shun!
The instant Sasuke exited the barrier, Minato Namikaze appeared beside Kushina.
Seeing Kurama's massive form, he let out a breath of relief.
"Naruto… you succeeded."
Naruto smiled.
"Dad, Mom—please step aside for a bit. I still have things to discuss with the Tailed Beasts."
Minato and Kushina exchanged a glance, nodded, and vanished in a flash.
Naruto turned back, sweeping his gaze across the beasts.
"Everyone—
it's time to decide."
"Will you choose to help me open a new world,
or will you continue to uphold the mission entrusted to you by the Sage of Six Paths?"
"Let me be clear."
"No matter what you choose, I will still honor my promise to Kurama—
I will free Yugito and Killer B from their jinchūriki bonds."
"And Isobu—
your request to revive Yagura after your resurrection will also be fulfilled."
The seven Tailed Beasts fell silent.
Isobu looked up at Kurama—
only to find that everyone was watching Kurama.
"…Why?"
Kurama's expression was complicated as he stared down at Naruto.
"With the power you now possess, why do you still intend to keep your old promises?"
Naruto smiled faintly.
"A promise means it remains valid regardless of how circumstances change."
"And tell me—
when have you ever seen me break my word?"
He paused, then continued:
"Honestly, this discussion isn't even necessary."
"First, Kurama—you can sense whether I harbor hostility toward you."
"Second, all of you have seen the memories of the Three Great Sage Regions."
"And the Sage himself admitted that the future is already decided."
"So no matter how conflicted you feel now—
your future selves have already made their choice."
"Heh!"
Kurama suddenly grinned.
"You're still as blunt as ever."
"I was thinking the same thing. But there's one thing I want to know."
"After you create this new world—
what will you do with us Tailed Beasts?"
All eyes turned to Naruto.
Naruto straightened, raised his fist, and said solemnly:
"I will give you true life."
"And I will make the entire world acknowledge the existence of the Tailed Beasts."
"…True life?"
Kurama's eyes widened.
He pressed his fist against Naruto's—
—and instantly froze in disbelief.
Shukaku, startled by Kurama's expression, slapped his own paw on top.
"You can even do that?!"
Kurama's eyes immediately slid sideways, glaring dangerously at Shukaku.
Before he could snap back, another paw landed on top.
"Son Gokū?"
Kurama narrowed his eyes as he saw Mū, Saiken, Chōmei, and Kokuō stack their hooves, claws, and forelegs one by one.
Finally, Son Gokū gently placed Isobu on top.
"…This is interesting."
"Acceptable."
"Mm."
"Not bad at all."
"I agree."
"Hmph."
Kurama's eyes rolled once.
He slowly withdrew his fist from Naruto's.
"Naruto—
since our matter is settled, can you let us enter the Mirror World now?"
"Yes."
Naruto nodded.
As they connected chakra, he quietly redistributed World Guardian permissions to them.
A barely perceptible smile crossed Kurama's face—
—and the next instant, all seven Tailed Beasts froze in place.
Naruto shook his head.
The world blurred.
Training Ground
Naruto reappeared at his old training field.
Clapping his hands together, green shoots burst from the earth, rapidly growing before the naked eye. Roots, vines, and branches surged upward—
—and soon, towering trees filled the entire field.
Mirror World
The moment the Tailed Beasts arrived, each of them summoned interface panels.
Naruto saw it clearly—
Kurama had sent Shukaku a simulated combat challenge.
Five Days Later
Naruto arrived at the plaza atop Pillar God Mountain.
Something felt… off.
Seeing neither Kurama nor Shukaku, he turned to the others.
"Are Kurama and Shukaku still in the Mirror World?"
Mū stepped forward helplessly.
"They've been fighting nonstop since the night five days ago."
"…Still fighting?"
Naruto frowned.
"What happened?"
"No idea."
"They started fighting the moment they entered."
"We fought Kurama too."
"I lost."
One by one, the Tailed Beasts responded.
Naruto's mind shifted.
He immediately took over his other consciousness in the Mirror World and entered the battlefield—
—to find Kurama and Shukaku squatting on opposite mountaintops, hundreds of meters apart, firing Tailed Beast Bombs at each other.
"Kurama, it's time to go."
Naruto flew up beside Kurama's mouth.
"Alright!"
Kurama opened wide—
—a Beast Bomb larger than his own head condensed instantly and blasted forward.
That wasn't all.
Mid-flight, he raised both claws and hurled two massive black spiral Rasens after it.
"DAMN FOX!! YOU CHEATED!!"
Shukaku's furious roar echoed from the opposite side.
BOOOOOOM——!!
Blinding light erupted.
Kurama laughed smugly and exited the battle.
Back in the real plaza, Shukaku's eyes bulged.
He saw Naruto and Kurama fist-bump—
and instantly pointed a claw, screaming:
"DAMN FOX! YOU SAID NO NINJUTSU!!"
Kurama flicked an ear.
"I'm going to see Gyūki and Matatabi with Naruto."
"If you're not satisfied, we'll continue after I get back."
"I'll even let you throw a few jutsu first."
With that, he bumped fists with Naruto—
—and vanished in a flash of light.
"DAMN FOX—GET BACK HERE AND EXPLAIN!!"
Naruto blinked in surprise.
He realized that with Kurama merged into him now, the golden chakra cloak no longer appeared.
"Surprised?" Kurama's voice echoed in his mind.
"A little."
"I didn't see this state in Ashura's memories. And before, when you merged with me, it wasn't like this either."
"It seems others can't even sense your presence now. Is this your true, unique ability?"
"Just chakra control."
"Besides, you don't need me to supply power anymore."
"Let's go—
that stupid tanuki is coming."
Naruto looked up, waved at Shukaku, and activated Flying Thunder God.
Land of Lightning — Valley of Clouds and Thunder
When Naruto reappeared, he stood atop a barren peak.
Cone-shaped mountains surrounded him, wreathed in clouds. Vegetation was sparse, but below lay a clear lake.
This was Cloud–Lightning Gorge—
the territory of Eight-Tails, Gyūki.
"How do you plan to find him?" Kurama asked.
"I'll go directly to his jinchūriki."
"He can't see me anyway. You can handle the talking."
Naruto stepped lightly—
—and his body rose as if carried by the wind.
Passing through a bank of clouds, his form gradually turned transparent—
—and vanished into the air.
(End of Chapter)
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